Protecting Children from Too Much Sun

Sunscreen not only protects against sunburn in children, it also helps decrease the risk of certain skin cancers and signs of aging later in life. By consistently and properly applying sunscreen, children will develop protective sun habits they can continue throughout their lives.

Sun protection recommendations are different for different age groups.

For children age 6 months and younger, we recommend keeping them out of direct sunlight for sun protection. If this isn't possible, then we recommend they wear protective clothing with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating. If there are exposed areas, then you should apply a mineral-based sunscreen.

Children over 6 months old who will be in the sun should wear sunscreen.

Sunscreen is safe to use on children. Some children may be sensitive to certain ingredients in sunscreen, so initially apply it to a small area on the body to test for sensitivity. The 2 main categories of sunscreen are mineral-based and chemical-based. Both offer great protection; however, mineral-based sunscreens are better tolerated by people with sensitive skin and can be used on sensitive areas of the body such as the face.

Sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before going outside so it has time to soak in. It should then be reapplied every 2 hours or more frequently if swimming or perspiring.

Choose a sunscreen with “broad spectrum” on the label. This means it protects against both UVA (long-wave) and UVB (medium-wave) rays.

We recommend an SPF rating of 30-to-50 for adequate sun protection. Also, make sure the product has not expired.

Eye protection is important in all seasons and at all ages. To ensure eye safety, you need sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection to help protect the eyes. There are child-sized glasses available to get a snug fit.

If you think your child has a sunburn, bring them indoors, use a cool bath or cool, wet washcloth to soothe their skin and offer water or Pedialyte. If the pain bothers them and they are over 6 months old, ibuprofen can be given as directed on the bottle. Call your pediatrician if there is any blistering, pain or fever.

Sunscreen needs to be applied to your child even on cloudy or cool days. It is also important to remember that UV rays can bounce off of sand, water, snow and other surfaces to reach your child when they are in the shade.

CDC.gov and healthychildren.org are great resources for more information about sun protection.